The current and future research on the material world are structured along three major themes in the continuity of the work previously done on the cohesion of the material world, which have in particular helped identify the forces responsible for the cohesion and at the same time of those responsible for the rheological behavior of materials saturated with water.

1 - liquefy and solidify the sludge of clay

Is to study the influence of the physicochemical nature of the liquid phase on the rheological properties of the material world. The acidity, salinity and the presence of organic molecules in the mixing water has a radical influence on the viscosity of the material at its implementation in a plastic state, viscous or liquid. By controlling these parameters, it is possible to liquefy the material world without changing its moisture content (standard practices of the concrete industry by adding superplasticizers) or even to solidify the material after casting (a process invented for the ceramics industry experienced as the Direct Coagulation Casting).

2 - Develop new concrete clay

This is to improve the cohesion of the material earth that lead to the production of new concrete clay impervious to water and mechanical properties significantly increased. Two different families of solutions are being considered. The first is the addition of organic molecules of plant or animal origin (traditional recipes and many industrial processes for the recent development of clay-polymer nanocomposites). The second is the study and exploitation of natural phenomena cementing clay with iron oxides and alumina.

3 - The wall of earth, energy storage

Is to study the phenomena of capillary condensation and evaporation within the material depending on temperature and relative humidity to predict the influence of the structure and microstructure of the material on its thermal inertia .

5.3. - Theme 3: Heritage

5.3.1. Scientific responsibility and composition of the team's theme:

The third research theme "Heritage" is under the scientific supervision of Thierry Joffroy, architect, research engineer.

Teachers and researchers involved in the development of the theme:

Mahmoud Bendakir, architect, Wilfredo Caraz-Aedo, architect David Gandreau, archaeologist: Hubert Guillaud, architect Hajmirbaba Majid, an engineer, Thierry Joffroy, architect Sébastien Moriset, architect Gregory Paccoud, architect; Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, architect.

5.3.2. Scientific objectives of the theme Heritage

The scientific objectives of Heritage theme cover six main areas:

- Develop research on the history of architectural, urban and rural, especially those built in lesser-known materials (earth, wood and fiber) while covering those built with modern materials (steel, concrete and cement);

                
- Develop methods and strategies of interdisciplinary studies of archaeological heritage (including earth) that contribute to the development of action plans and management including the largest cluster of scientific issues, while allowing better unite the interests own and often divergent disciplines and sciences convened (between archeology and conservation, specifically);

                
- Develop methods of conservation and management of assets that foster stakeholder participation and contribute to the sustainable development of local societies, the social, economic and environmental (related to the theme "Habitat").

- Develop R & D and applied research in the field of materials and conservation techniques, especially for earthen architecture (in relation to the theme of "Materials);

- Ensure the impact of research on heritage, conservation and management of higher education, research and training of professional skills (site operators) supporting the development of specialized curricula and science programs in universities and Other ad hoc institutions.

- Integrate all the scientific and educational objectives of the theme in the development of the project "Earth Architecture 2017" conducted in conjunction with the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO and a broad partnership of cultural institutions of national and regional research, training and projects located.

5.3.3. Theme programming Heritage

The theme for Heritage hosts three programs:

- Heritage Conservation: This program is directed by Sébastien Moriset and Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, architects.

- Archaeology and Conservation: This program is directed by David Gandreau, archaeologist

- World Heritage: This program is co-directed by Thierry Joffroy and Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy, architects.

5.3.3.1. Heritage Conservation Program:

It accepts two research projects and activities correlated:

- Participatory Management (Sebastien Moriset):

CRATerre's expertise is now recognized by the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO, its regional offices, and other international agencies dedicated to the conservation of heritage (ICCROM, Getty Conservation Institute) and the team is frequently called to resolve management problems at major sites or sites in danger (in conjunction with the World Monument Watch). The active participation of stakeholders in the wealth management raises questions CRATerre has faced for over 10 years and have been applied research in the period 2005-2009. Experience from the wording of 50 management plans in social, economic and geographical variety, for a variety of types of assets, has helped to refine the methods of active involvement of stakeholders in the process of management planning at first, then in the management of sites then. Man working on before working on the matter has become obvious, because it allows the community to develop around common values ​​of its heritage and sets the stage for a very productive synergy between conservation and development. The management plan developed in 2007 for the site of Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco, with the help of 67 people, served as an example for many site managers who want to turn to follow the same method to establish their Management Plan . A Ait Ben Haddou as for all other sites studied, it is indeed the definition of stakeholder to retain outstanding universal values ​​and the formulation of a common vision that founded the management plan.

The priority for the next five years will be to formalize this knowledge so that advances the team can be used with other heritage professionals, but also with academics and local heritage sites to manage. To achieve this, the team will prepare a first practical guide to the technical development of management plans. This guide, which will be released in 2010, will be initially published in French and English. It will be downloaded from several websites including that of CRATerre current reconfiguration. Management plans recently formulated, and those to follow by 2014 (two new management plans are being prepared for the end of 2010, the Tomb Kasubi in Uganda and the Saloum Delta in Senegal) will be systematically made publicly available on the website of the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO. This site already has 16 management plans that have been produced for sites on the World Heritage List since 1998. The next four integrates the development of a new regional program for 2010-2013 to strengthen the capacities of municipalities of Senegal, Cape Verde, Mali, Mauritania and Benin, developed in partnership by CRATerre, UNESCO, the International Association of Francophone Mayors and Municipal Development Partnership. It will improve the publications and the methods, tools and instructional academic and professional training, and wider dissemination of knowledge from the laboratory in the field of participatory management to academics and professionals.

- Heritage and Development (Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy):

Research conducted by the laboratory CRATerre-ENSAG around the problems of heritage conservation in sustainable development will pursue two goals during the next 4 years. Training and professional capacity building adapted to local realities are seen here as effective ways to make a lasting contribution to local development.

Objectives:

1 - Strengthening of vocational training in Africa, based on the experiences of Africa 2009. 2 - The definition of methods of collaboration between the actors of heritage and local communities in Africa. Indeed, 10 years of field experience and theoretical projection as part of Africa 2009 have constituted a significant body of methodological knowledge shared between the players of African heritage and expertise, both for management and for heritage conservation. This program ended, a specific search is initiated, which will properly assess the advances that have been made to capitalize, to theorize (in terms of specific situations in African cultural and societal) and disseminate the information to be as much updated educational materials to serve the training of professionals of African heritage. Africa 2009 was a unique program in terms of development methodologies and strategies for implementation of projects north-south oriented heritage. Also, the success of cooperation established motivated the establishment of a new program supported by the European Union, France UNESCO Convention and the International Association of Francophone Mayors, which will aim to better manage assets across the territories , based on local communities, to promote sustainable development. This program will target 3-year town halls of Senegal, Cape Verde, Mali, Mauritania and Benin (in connection with the previous project).

Our research program will develop the following activities are at an upcoming disciplinary exchange scheduled for 2011. Simultaneously, this year 2009, a book project began, "In Praise of earthen architecture," in scientific collaboration with the architect Jean Dethier, who was the designer of the exhibition "earthen architecture" of the Centre Georges Pompidou ( 1981) have circulated in the major capitals of the world for nearly 20 years. This landmark publication should lead late 2011-2012, in partnership with publishers (Dominique Carré and Discovery for the French version, and Thames and Hudson, and Abrams for English). The next four will therefore contribute to further progress in the development of the story of the history of earthen architecture and several publications.

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Translated from CRA Terre